Tangerine & Thyme Martini cocktail – a refreshing vodka martini with fresh tangerine juice and sweetened with a honey thyme simple syrup.
Now that Shawn and I live on so much land, we are excited to plant a huge garden this spring. We’ve also dreamt of planting citrus fruit trees around the property. I cook with a lot of citrus, and would love to be able to walk outside and pick them fresh from our own trees.
I was at Costco last week, and they had little lemon, lime, grapefruit and tangerine trees for only $17 each. I took a picture of the planting directions to show Shawn when I got home to see if they would work on our property, assuming I could buy them later in the week.
Why, oh why, didn’t I just buy the plants then?
On Saturday morning we decided to head to Costco to buy a few of the trees to plant. By the time we got there, all that was left was grapefruit trees.
Then the never-ending citrus tree search began. We stopped by Home Depot, and they had lemon and lime trees, but they were almost $40 each. Convinced I could find some for a better price somewhere else, the search continued. We then drove to another Costco a few towns away. They were all out too. So was Lowe’s. And so was our local garden center store.
Even though I don’t my own citrus trees yet, I made this delicious tangerine & thyme martini with some gorgeous tangerines I bought at the farmers market. Citrus with the leaves still on just taste better.
A citrus and herb drink is my favorite kind of cocktail. I love the combination of the tart from the tangerine with the earthy herb aroma from the thyme. To give the martini a touch of sweetness, I made a honey thyme simple syrup.
I made this tangerine & thyme martini again last night for my sister and I to sip while watching the Oscars. Even though we watched it on the couch in our pajamas, we felt very fancy drinking our martinis.
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Tangerine & Honey Thyme Martini
Prep Time: 20 mins- Cook Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 25 mins
Yield: 1 cocktail 1x
Print Recipe
Pin RecipeIngredients
Honey Thyme Simple Syrup
- 1 cup water
- 1 cup honey
- 10 sprigs of thyme
Tangerine & Honey Thyme Cocktail
- 2 ounces vodka
- Juice from 1 tangerine, about 1/2 cup
- 1 tablespoon honey thyme simple syrup
- spring of thyme for garnish
Instructions
- In a small sauce pan, bring water and honey to a boil. Stir until the honey is dissolved. Keep an eye on it, the simple syrup will bubble up as soon as it starts boiling. Pour the warm simple syrup into a glass container and add the sprigs of thyme to steep. Transfer to the fridge to cool.
- In a martini shaker, combine all the cocktail ingredients with ice and shake until cold. Strain into a martini glass. Garnish with a sprig of thyme.
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Sarah@Whole and Heavenly Oven says
February 23, 2015 at 5:11 amI really really hope you get your citrus trees, Natalie! Because, really who would not LOVE just walking out to the backyard to pick an orange?! I can only dream about that, but still….LOL. Plus, uh these drinks?! THE GORGEOUS! I love love the color and the combo of tangerines and fresh thyme! Monday’s best cocktail for sure. ;)
Natalie says
February 24, 2015 at 8:24 amThanks Sarah! Definitely keeping my eye out for citrus trees!
Melanie @ Carmel Moments says
February 23, 2015 at 5:56 amLooks so fancy and fresh! Mmm…
Hope you had a fabulous weekend friend!
Alyssa @ My Sequined Life says
February 23, 2015 at 5:57 amThese look so fabulous! I hope you can find your citrus trees soon. That’s definitely something I miss about living in California…lemons/limes (in our case) available anytime! I’ll be on the lookout for tangerines this week. :) And such gorgeous photos!
Natalie says
February 24, 2015 at 8:25 amThanks Alyssa! I’ve never had fruit trees before. Can’t wait to plant some!
Traci | Vanilla And Bean says
February 23, 2015 at 6:28 amHey Natalie! I am *ALWAYS* up for a fabulous cocktail, and this one is fabulous!! Can’t wait to try it; the tangerines are incredible and the thought of drinking up their delicious sunshine really appeals to me! I just picked some Shasta Tangerines and am eating them like crazy… Pairing the juice with honey simple and thyme makes me happy!! Thank you for this beauty, Natalie!
Hopefully you’ll find your citrus tree soon… if not this year, then next. I can’t imagine growing my own citrus! What fun!
Natalie says
February 24, 2015 at 8:26 amI just love tangerines! A mild, slightly sweet citrus. Perfect for cocktails! Hope you like this if you try it Traci : )
Kathy @ Olives & Garlic says
February 23, 2015 at 7:31 amI hope you get your citrus trees my friend. I am attempting to grow my own avocado tree right now, been waiting for the seed to sprout for 3 weeks now and still nothing….
Although it’s only Monday I feel as if I can use a cocktail already. This one looks so refreshing and it’s practically healthy since it’s loaded with so much vitamin C ;)
★★★★★
Natalie says
February 24, 2015 at 8:27 amI saw avocado trees during our search! We eat so many avocado’s, so that would be a great tree to grow. Let me know how yours goes! Oh, and I could definitely use a cocktail after the Monday I had.
Gayle @ Pumpkin 'N Spice says
February 23, 2015 at 7:34 amThat is so fun that you’ll be able to plant citrus trees, Natalie! Can’t wait to see what recipes you’ll come up with when they’re grown. This drink looks absolutely gorgeous! I can almost taste the fruity flavors. Love this! And pinned!
Natalie says
February 24, 2015 at 8:28 amI’m really hoping we can find some citrus trees before it’s too late! I still have quite a bit to learn about gardening, ha! Thanks Gayle : )
Olivia @ Olivia's Cuisine says
February 23, 2015 at 8:29 amHow did you know I loved tangerine cocktails? Yum! They look so delicious! Also, I’m sure you’ll find your trees soon. I wish I could have trees… Do you think my NYC landlord will let me have some in the fire escape? lol
★★★★★
Natalie says
February 24, 2015 at 8:29 amMaybe you could get a little tiny tree and leave it in it’s pot! Your own little fire escape garden : )
Rachel @ Bakerita says
February 23, 2015 at 9:35 amI would love to have citrus trees, especially if it meant I could make cocktails like this all the time!! Looks so delish, and I hope you get your trees soon :) Pinned!
Natalie says
February 24, 2015 at 8:29 amThanks Rachel! Definitely keeping my eye out for some citrus trees.
Alexa at Sweet Little Kitchen says
February 23, 2015 at 9:41 amThis looks like such an elegant drink! I love that they seem simple to prepare, but look so fancy. Yay for citrus fruit brightening up winter!
Natalie says
February 24, 2015 at 8:30 amThanks Alexa! I always feel quite fancy when I’m drinking martini’s. Like I’m on Sex and the City, haha!
Annie @ The Garlic Diaries says
February 23, 2015 at 4:02 pmOh my gosh, I am totally making this. I absolutely LOVE using herbs in cocktails. My husband and I made a peach and basil daiquiri before and it was wonderful. This looks just as good if not better!
★★★★★
Natalie says
February 24, 2015 at 8:32 amOooh, I love the sound of a peach and basil daiquiri! I’ve made a peach and basil sangria, so I know how great that flavor combo is. Hope you like this if you try it Annie : )
Ashley | The Recipe Rebel says
February 23, 2015 at 6:14 pmThis martini is gorgeous! I totally saw some lemon trees at Home Depot last year and wanted them so badly, but I honestly just don’t know how they could grow here. I think if I see some this year I’m going to have to try anyways!
Natalie says
February 24, 2015 at 8:33 amLuckily they still have lemon trees at Home Depot. They’re quite pricey, but I think I’m just going to bite the bullet and get them. The idea of having my own lemon tree is worth the price to me!
Danielle @ Live Well Bake Often says
February 23, 2015 at 6:15 pmI hope you both find your citrus trees! How fun would that be to have some growing in your own yard? This drink looks so perfect, Natalie. I could definitely go for one on this dreary Monday!
Natalie says
February 24, 2015 at 8:34 amMe too Danielle! The hunt is still on! I could have definitely used one after the Monday I had yesterday. We are watching my in-laws dog, and they assured me she was potty trained. I came home from work yesterday, and let’s just say I have “carpet cleaner” on my grocery list today. Ick!
Mariah @ Mariah's Pleasing Plates quinoa says
February 23, 2015 at 10:47 pmThese tangerine cocktails are stunning Natalie!!! I want one right now! Pinned! These look so fun to make!
Natalie says
February 24, 2015 at 8:35 amThanks Mariah! Don’t you just love a fancy cocktail in a martini glass? Hope you like this if you try it!
Sarah @ SnixyKitchen says
February 24, 2015 at 12:01 amI love this video! Especially the shot of the honey pouring into the measuring cup! What a sad ending to your fruit-tree hunt, but fortunately you got to enjoy this delicious cocktail when you got home!
Natalie says
February 24, 2015 at 8:36 amThanks Sarah! This is the first video where we used our 70-200 lens. I think it blurs out the background much better, even though Shawn has to stand way back in the living room to film me cooking in the kitchen, ha! But at least he’s not in my way anymore : )
Bri | Bites of Bri says
February 24, 2015 at 2:45 amEven if you haven’t found them again yet, I’m sure you will and when you do, it will be amazing! I’ve been dying to plant a meyer lemon tree but it’s not even close to being able to withstand our temperatures here. I wish I had a green house! This cocktail…I could have used one yesterday when I first read this! Thanks for linking my recipe :)
Natalie says
February 24, 2015 at 8:37 amI think the search is going to continue today after work. I must have citrus trees! My neighbor has meyer lemon trees and just gave me a big bag. I like them so much more than regular lemons. Nice and sweet. And your cocktail looks delicious!
Kelly // The Pretty Bee: Cooking & Creating says
February 24, 2015 at 5:43 amWow, what pretty cocktail! Sorry you missed out on the citrus trees! Maybe they will get more in stock!
Natalie says
February 24, 2015 at 8:37 amThanks Kelly! I’m hoping they’ll have more in stock soon too. The hunt continues!
Keri @ Fashionable Foods says
February 24, 2015 at 5:48 amNatalie, this cocktail looks amazing!! This is my kind of martini. That stinks about the citrus trees – I hate how quickly things disappear from Costco. Maybe they will get more in soon! Planting a garden is so fun – I can’t wait to get mine going. Have you ever planted a garden before? By the way, great photos!!
Natalie says
February 24, 2015 at 8:40 amThanks Keri! You’re so nice! Good things go much too quickly at Costco. Now I now I need to be quick! We’ve planted tomato plants before, which is my favorite. But now that we have so much land I’m looking forward to having a ton of planter boxes and planting even more vegetables! Do you plant a garden?
Keri @ Fashionable Foods says
February 25, 2015 at 7:35 amI plant a garden at my parent’s house with my dad – he’s taught me a ton over the last few years! Tomatoes grow super well in our soil and happen to be my favorite too. Potatoes are also pretty awesome. I love anything out of the garden though! There is nothing better than walking outside and gathering food you’ve grown and then cooking a meal – you’ll love it. :)
Natalie says
February 25, 2015 at 12:15 pmI’ve only grown tomatoes and herbs in the past with good luck. We had 1 small planter box, and I thought it would be fun to do zucchini. Big mistake! The plant got HUGE and took over the whole planter box. And we only got a few zucchini from it. But now that we have so much space, I bet zucchini’s would work better this time around. And so smart to do potatoes! I’ve never tried planting potatoes! Adding that to my Must Plant list :)
marcie says
February 24, 2015 at 7:33 amI’m sorry you missed on out on those trees, Natalie! You did the right thing, though, buying some tangerines at the farmer’s market and making a drink! haha The color is gorgeous and it sounds so refreshing. Beautiful photos, too. Pinned!
Natalie says
February 24, 2015 at 8:42 amAren’t those tangerines so pretty? This time of year is the best time for citrus. Thanks for your compliments Marcie!
Annie @Maebells says
February 24, 2015 at 9:08 amNatalie these are so beautiful! I am the worst cocktail maker ever! I can make wine based concoctions that are pretty good, but I am not so good with the liquor! I am going to try some of your beautiful cocktails and call it “research” ;) hahaha!
★★★★★
Natalie says
February 25, 2015 at 11:44 amThanks Annie. I’ve had a lot of cocktail practice. I was a bartender for 3 years during college. I rarely got to make fresh ones like this with fresh juice and herbs though. Was a lot of liquor and sugar based juices. No good!
Rachelle says
February 24, 2015 at 10:16 amOh Natalie! What a gorgeous martini! I love the photos of the tangerines with their little leaves and . I just adore a good martini. Pinned to make after I pick up some tangerines! I hope you get your trees soon!
Natalie says
February 25, 2015 at 11:45 amThanks Rachelle! I was so excited when I saw these tangerines with the leaves still on them. I went thru the whole pile to pick out the prettiest ones. Such a food blogger, ha!
Leah | So, How's It Taste? says
February 24, 2015 at 11:41 amWow, I can’t believe you couldn’t find citrus trees anywhere! I hope you get some soon. My friend in FL grows her own, including a banana tree, and it’s awesome that she can just go pick it from her yard. This drink sounds so refreshing! I’ve had thyme simple syrup before and it’s so good in cocktails! Looking forward to trying this one.
Natalie says
February 25, 2015 at 11:46 amBanana trees! That is so fun! I don’t think those would do too well in California. But I do know citrus trees do great here, so I’m going to keep my eye out for them. Hope you love this cocktail if you try it Leah!
ohmydish.com says
February 24, 2015 at 2:31 pmSo refreshing looking! Pour me one, will ya?
Natalie says
February 25, 2015 at 11:47 amThanks! 1 cocktail coming right up! *wink*
Thalia @ butter and brioche says
February 24, 2015 at 2:50 pmI’ve always wanted the space to have my own garden and grow my own produce so I am very jealous that you can start your own garden with citrus trees. This martini look so refreshing, tangy and beautiful – and I so wish I had one in hand now!
★★★★★
Natalie says
February 25, 2015 at 11:50 amI am just so excited to have plenty of space to grow our own garden. This spring I know I am going to go nuts at the garden store!
Rachel @the dessert chronicles says
February 24, 2015 at 3:54 pmYum!! This looks so refreshing and different from my usual go to drinks. I have been wanting to experiment more with making cocktails at home and you just reminded me I should really get started! Have a great week!
Natalie says
February 25, 2015 at 11:51 amI’ve been having fun experimenting with fun cocktails. I’m usually a glass of wine girl, but nothing is funner than a pretty cocktail in a martini glass! Thanks Rachel : )
Brittaney @ Sips and Snacks says
February 24, 2015 at 8:52 pmI have the same dream! Luckily, my husband and I bought our first home a few months ago so we can finally plant our own garden and citrus trees! This cocktail looks and sounds delicious. I love a good infused simple syrup!
Natalie says
February 25, 2015 at 11:48 amCongrats on buying your first home! This is our second home, but the first one with land! I’m going nuts planning out our garden. I’m pretty sure we’re going to get chickens soon too : )
Olivia - Primavera Kitchen says
February 25, 2015 at 4:36 amNat, I am so sorry you didn’t find your citrus trees. I really hope you can find some soon because it is awesome you plant citrus tree in your backyard. I wish I could do that, but it won’t work well during the winter time :-(
When you plant your garden this spring, please show us. I bet it is going to be beautiful!
Talking about beautiful things how beautiful are your pictures today!!! You always take great pictures but today they are AWESOME!! Love love love. And this martini looks divine too!
Natalie says
February 25, 2015 at 12:05 pmI’m still on the lookout Olivia. I’m sure I’ll find some when I least expect to, fingers crossed!
lisaiscooking says
February 25, 2015 at 7:43 amI hope you get your citrus trees! I love having a few, but mine have to remain in containers to be moved around when we have a freeze. This cocktail looks delightful. I want one for breakfast!
Natalie says
February 25, 2015 at 12:17 pmThat’s smart to leave the in the containers! Then you can move them in when there’s a frost. I’m still keeping my eye out for a good lemon tree. Thanks Lisa!
Kristine @ Kristine's Kitchen says
February 26, 2015 at 4:10 pmI’ve experienced that with Costco before too – you’ve got to buy it then or risk it being gone! I hope you find your citrus trees soon! I’ve always wanted a lemon tree in my yard, but I am lucky that my parents (5 minutes away) have one and share.
This cocktail looks so refreshing and fun! I love the combination of tangerine and thyme!
Jess @ Flying on Jess Fuel says
February 27, 2015 at 3:32 pmI’m so glad it’s Friday because MAN does this sound good! Love the combo of fruits and herbs! Happy weekend!